Directorate Changes

Cookson Group PLC 15 March 2005 15 March 2005 COOKSON GROUP plc BOARD CHANGES Cookson Group plc, the international materials science company, announces the following Board changes. Dennis Millard, Group Finance Director Dennis Millard, Group Finance Director, has informed the Board of his intention to step down from the Board and leave the Company during the course of 2005. Mr Millard has been Group Finance Director since 1996. The process of recruiting a successor has commenced and Mr Millard has agreed to continue in his role until such time as an appointment has been made and an appropriate transition effected. Dennis Millard commented: 'My time as Cookson's Finance Director has been hugely fulfilling. However, after more than nine years, and with the recent strategic review and refinancing complete, I feel that this is the right time to move on. After taking a complete break for a period, I intend to seek new business challenges. 'I am confident that the recently announced strategy is the best way forward for Cookson, and my colleagues will have my full support during my remaining months with the Company, and indeed thereafter.' Nick Salmon, Chief Executive, said: 'Dennis has been an extremely effective Finance Director and an enormously supportive colleague to me during my initial period at Cookson. 'Importantly, he has recently put in place new financing arrangements which reflect the significant improvement in Cookson's financial condition and underpin our operational and strategic objectives for the future. 'Dennis has my personal thanks and best wishes for his future plans. In the meantime, I am delighted that he has agreed to stay with us in order to effect a smooth transition to his successor.' Kent Atkinson, non-executive Director Kent Atkinson, non-executive Director, who joined the Cookson Board in April 2003, has decided to step down from the Board with effect from 15 April, in order to devote more time to his other commitments. He was recently appointed as a non-executive Director of Standard Life Assurance Company, and is also a non-executive Director of Marconi Corporation PLC and Coca-Cola HBC S.A. Mr Atkinson will be succeeded as Senior Independent Director by John Sussens with immediate effect. Mr Sussens joined the Board of Cookson in May 2004. The Board is in the process of recruiting an additional non-executive Director, who in due course will succeed Mr Atkinson as Chairman of the Audit Committee. Commenting on the above changes, Bob Beeston, Chairman of Cookson, said: 'Dennis Millard has been an outstanding Finance Director of Cookson over a period that has encompassed both significant achievements and considerable challenges. Above all, the Group is now on a very sound financial footing, for which Dennis should take much personal credit. When he leaves Cookson later this year, it will be with our sincere thanks and our very best wishes. 'I would also like to thank Kent Atkinson, on behalf of the Board, for all that he has contributed to Cookson over the past two years as our Senior Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee. He has played an active and valuable role during a demanding period of change, and we wish him well with his new commitments.' For further information, please contact: Shareholder/analyst enquiries: Bob Beeston, Chairman Cookson Group plc Nick Salmon, Chief Executive Tel: 020 7061 6500 Press enquiries: John Olsen Hogarth Partnership Tel: 020 7357 9477 Cookson Group has today announced its preliminary results for the year to 31 December 2004. The results announcement is available on Cookson's website: www.cooksongroup.co.uk Cookson Group plc, 265 Strand, London WC2R 1DB Registered in England and Wales No. 251977 www.cooksongroup.co.uk About Cookson Group Cookson Group is a leading materials science company which provides materials, processes and services to customers worldwide. The Group operates as three divisions - Electronics, Ceramics and Precious Metals. The Electronics division is a leading manufacturer and supplier of materials and services to the electronics industry, primarily serving fabricators and assemblers of printed circuit boards, assemblers of semiconductor packaging and the electrical and industrial markets. The Ceramics division is the world leader in the supply of advanced flow control and refractory products and systems to the iron and steel industry and is also a leading supplier of refractory lining materials for iron and steelmaking and other industrial processes. The Precious Metals division is a leading supplier to the jewellery industry of fabricated precious metals products. Headquartered in London, Cookson employs over 16,000 people in more than 35 countries and sells its products in over 100 countries. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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